Guwahati, September 24, 2025: The Assam Government on Wednesday announced a blanket ban on Shri Shyamkanu Mahanta and organisations associated with him from organising functions or festivals within the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a statement that the state government will not extend financial grants, advertisements, or sponsorships to any event directly or indirectly linked to Mahanta. The government will also request the Centre not to provide him financial assistance or sponsorship in any form.
The move comes in the wake of the ongoing investigation into the sudden death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away recently in Singapore. The state government has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe all cases related to the incident.
An FIR was filed in Morigaon against Mahanta, the organiser of the Northeast India Festival, and Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma. Allegations have been raised over the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death, prompting police to consolidate all related complaints for a unified inquiry.
In response, Mahanta and his team expressed grief over the loss and clarified that they had been in Singapore for festival preparations, adding that local Assamese community members had taken Garg on a yacht trip without their knowledge. The organisers have since cancelled the festival.
The controversy has also led to confusion on social media, where an IRS officer with the same name as the organiser has faced online harassment, prompting his family to issue clarifications.
ALSO READ: Assam Bids Tearful Farewell to Zubeen Garg: Final Rites Held with Full State Honours
The Assam Government has already declared three days of state mourning for Garg and is arranging to receive his body in Delhi. Chief Minister Sarma has assured that a second post-mortem will be conducted in Assam to address public concerns.
The sweeping ban signals the government’s intent to distance itself from Mahanta while the investigation unfolds. Political observers note that the decision comes at a time when the state is moving into a high-stakes pre-election climate, with cultural issues closely tied to public sentiment.
